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Original poster

Melanoma

208 replies

Froomp · 20/09/2019 07:49

I was sent to a dermatologist yesterday, about a black line under my toe nail. I expected him to send me on my way reassured it was just one of those things. Instead he has told me I need a biopsy and will get the appointment in the next week or so (cue panic).
The line has been under my toe nail for at least 8/9 months. If this is Melanoma is this going to be too late for effective treatment?
And has anyone had a biopsy and it turned out not to be cancer? The dermatologist said looking at it he was sure it wasn’t blood, which rules out trauma so what else could it be?
I’m in a real state and don’t know how to talk myself down.

OP posts:
Ellapaella · 25/09/2019 20:25

Ah daisy I feel angry for you too - there should be regular checks for people who have had previous melanoma imo.

daisypond · 25/09/2019 20:34

Well, he’s down for a checkup six months after the first one. The first melanoma was found in March. They checked him over for others but didn’t see any. I saw the second one which was very small, just under the hairline on his scalp, about a month later. You’d think they should have checked the rest of his scalp. So four months later I’ve seen this new huge one right on top of his head. He has thick hair.

VenusClapTrap · 26/09/2019 12:30

daisypond yes, you would think they’d check properly. I’d be angry too.

I just tried to ring DF to see if he’s home yet, but he’s still at the hospital, waiting for a blood test. He’s been there since 10. It’s not looking good is it?

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RachelEllenR · 28/09/2019 19:49

I saw the GP and he's put me on two week referral without hesitation. Was hoping he'd dismiss it and I'd have to ask for the referral.

Original poster
Froomp · 29/09/2019 20:23

@RachelEllenR it is good you are going to be seen quickly. I wish I could take my own advice but try not to panic until you know if you need to.

I’m really struggling with anxiety over the whole thing today.

OP posts:
RachelEllenR · 03/10/2019 20:58

@Froomp thinking of you for tomorrow. I hope it goes well. I'm still waiting for my appointment.

Onwardsagain · 04/10/2019 06:22

@Froomp thinking of you today

SleepingIsOverrated · 04/10/2019 07:22

Thinking of you today, OP,

fanniboz · 04/10/2019 10:34

Thinking of you today Froomp, do let us know how you get on if you want to.

Thanks for everyone dealing with this sorta situation

pappajonessecretchild · 04/10/2019 17:02

I have been thinking of you, Froomp. hope things went as well as these things can.

marvellousnightforamooncup · 04/10/2019 18:07

Froomp, hope things were OK today.

Wildorchidz · 04/10/2019 18:26

So do I.

Fluffythefish · 05/10/2019 11:18

Checking in to see how it went too

Original poster
Froomp · 05/10/2019 14:16

Biopsy yesterday. It doesn’t look great. Waiting for results (which could take a week or two) before we know and can plan. I feel like I’m drowning.

OP posts:
Belleende · 05/10/2019 15:30

That is totally shit, however, I am just back from a major cancer conference. Melanoma, even advanced, is now a treatable condition. The progress in the last ten years has been astounding. Best of luck

SpecialKRocks223 · 05/10/2019 16:02

I'm thinking of you x

Elphame · 05/10/2019 16:40

Oh I’m so sorry. As a veteran of many biopsies I know how hard the wait is. x

RachelEllenR · 05/10/2019 17:21

What a horrible wait. Thinking of you. Thanks

I have my first hospital appointment Wednesday with the skin clinic but then it will be another referral for the biopsy (I assume).

RachelEllenR · 05/10/2019 17:23

@Belleende thank you for that bit of reassurance. I hope my nail change is random and not melanoma but reassuring there may be something they can do even with bad news.

thespellhasbeenbroken123 · 05/10/2019 17:35

Hope it's good news op x

Flyingarcher · 05/10/2019 17:46

@Froomp i am also treading the pathway. Had breast cancer two years ago. Got through that. Noticed, I think, in around June but not sure a long blotchy black mark running vertically from bed to tip on my big toe. Assumed I had had some sort of trauma but actually can't remember anything significant. I know I had it in July and August and I am pretty sure it wasn't there in the early months of the year. Was only a post on facebook, of all things, that alerted me to subungal melanoma.

GPs stared at it and weren't sure so am seeing dermatologist on Weds. am sort of assuming I will need a biopsy. I think it might have grown upwards a bit but then I don't know if I'm just trying to kid myself that. From going through cancer last time, I know that it is the waiting that is the worst. I had to have four operations because the margins wouldn't clear. I didn't have chemo. Radiotherapy was ok.

I'm trying not to think about this but was wondering today how I might cope without a big toe. Good luck. Getting the results, well sitting in waiting rooms, is the worst thing, worse than the treatment. You can do this and you have, if it is, caught it early. Keep me posted and message me if you wish.

macdhui · 05/10/2019 17:59

Thinking of you Froomp. My cousin had a melanoma under her thumb nail and had it successfully treated with surgery and radiation 15 years ago. X

idril · 05/10/2019 18:01

@Froomp please try not to worry although I knew it's so hard not to.

Melanoma treatment has undergone dramatic advances in the past few years. Even stage 4 melanoma is now treatable and 5 year survival rates for young people who are otherwise healthy are very good.

My mum had melanoma which was stage 4 and had spread everywhere. A month after starting one of the new treatments there was no evidence of disease anywhere. Her's had a particular characteristic which made it suitable for this particular treatment which isn't a long term cure but the long term plan was for her to move onto immunotherapy.

Google immunotherapy melanoma it as if it does turn out to be the worst case scenario, it might make you feel a bit better to know that there are treatments out there.

RachelEllenR · 05/10/2019 18:20

@Flyingarcher I seeked help from mine after a fb post too. Is it ok if I pm too? If I can work it out - I use the app and it my computer.

Westiegirl3 · 05/10/2019 18:27

Thinking of you op, I hope the results are positive